Would you like to live in a place that pays you to move there? That’s what many U.S. cities are doing to lure residents.
In this article, I’ll show you 13 destinations that offer monetary incentives and more if you move there.
Get Up to $15,000 To Move to Some of These Cities and States
Team Clark has researched all of these places to make sure that the programs are legitimate and active as of June 2023.
Table of Contents
- Alaska
- Lincoln, Kansas
- Hamilton, Ohio
- Mattoon, Illinois
- Newton, Iowa
- Owensboro, Kentucky
- Richmond, Indiana
- The Shoals (Alabama region)
- Topeka, Kansas
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Vermont
- West Lafayette, Indiana
- West Virginia
Note that one of the common requirements for getting the monetary incentive is that you live in the respective city or state for a specific period of time, so be sure you read all of the rules before you apply.
1. Alaska
Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) is a dividend paid to Alaska residents who have lived in the state for a full calendar year.
The amount of the PFD changes every year according to what the Alaska state legislature approves. The 2023 PFD budget has set aside $1,300 for every eligible Alaskan.
Image via Dreamstime
How To Apply
According to the program’s website, to be eligible for a PFD, you must have been an Alaska resident for the entire calendar year before the date you apply for a dividend and intend to remain an Alaska resident indefinitely.
The application acceptance period runs from January 1 to March 31 on a yearly basis. See details here.
2. Lincoln, Kansas
The small city of Lincoln, Kansas, is currently accepting applications for its Free Home Site Program, which grants free land to eligible prospective homebuilders.
On the Lincoln County website. the program is described as providing “free build-ready lots to individuals and families interested in moving to the community and/or building a new home.”
Image via Dreamstime
How To Apply
Want a free lot in a residential development? Apply here.
3. Hamilton, Ohio
About 20 miles north of Cincinnati is Hamilton, which offers a Talent Attraction Program (TAP) Scholarship for recent college graduates. Successful applicants get up to $15,000 in cash to pay down their student loan debt.
Image via Dreamstime
Among the eligibility requirements, applicants must:
- Have graduated within the last seven years from a STEAM program (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, or Mathematics) preferred.
- Not currently be living in designated areas of Hamilton “but have plans to move to or live in one of the urban neighborhoods or in Armondale or Highland Park neighborhoods in Hamilton.”
- Demonstrate employment within Butler County or have a full-time remote job in a professional role.
How To Apply
Go to the Scholarship Portal to create and/or login to your account.
4. Mattoon, Illinois
Mattoon, which is about a three-hour drive from Chicago, has an incentive package that offers relocating remote workers $5,000 cash for moving, $2,555 in gift cards to local businesses and a $500 voucher to local restaurants.
Image via Dreamstime
The Move To Mattoon program includes:
- One-year free co-working space in the city.
- Six months of free YMCA membership for you and your family.
- Six months’ free fiber internet and more.
How To Apply
Apply for the Move To Mattoon incentive program via MakeMyMove.com.
5. Newton, Iowa
Newton, Iowa, located right outside Des Moines, has a major Housing Incentive for newcomers who want to live there.
The city’s website says, “For homes valued at $190,000 or more, homebuyers will receive a $10,000 cash incentive and the Get to Know Newton Welcome Package.”
Image via Dreamstime
How To Apply
To apply, contact the Newton Housing Development Corporation:
Mailing address: P.O. Box 102 Newton, IA 50208. Phone: 641-521-6031 or contact Housing Director Bruce Showalter at [email protected].
6. Owensboro, Kentucky
Located about a two-hour drive west of Louisville, Owensboro, Kentucky is among the cities using cash to attract top talent to its communities.
Image via Dreamstime
In conjunction with the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation and MakeMyMove, the city’s “Grow The Boro” incentive program offers prospective residents who qualify:
- A $5,000 stipend to cover relocation expenses.
- A one-year membership at the Owensboro Health Healthpark
- A one-year membership at the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden and more.
How To Apply
Apply for the Grow The Boro program through MakeMyMove.com.
7. Richmond, Indiana
Richmond, Indiana, a small city that borders Ohio, is offering people who move there a $5,000 stipend along with a VIP Community Pass, which includes:
- Free one-year membership to co-working space in downtown Richmond.
- One month of full membership to the Forest Hills Country Club.
- Free one-year membership to the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce.
Image via Dreamstime
How To Apply
Apply for the Richmond program through MakeMyMove.com.
8. The Shoals (Alabama Region)
The Remote Shoals initiative is another relocation program that will pay you $10,000 to live in a region of northern Alabama known as “the Shoals.” The area is comprised of the cities of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia.
Image via Dreamstime
How To Apply
The Remote Shoals program is currently open! Fill out this form.
9. Topeka, Kansas
Topeka, Kansas, has a program called the Choose Topeka Relocation Incentive, which offers money to move to the city or the surrounding Shawnee County area.
How Much Money Can You Get?
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“Choose Topeka as your new home and you could get up to $15,000 in your pocket,” says the Choose Topeka website. “This exciting program partners with Shawnee County employers to select talented professionals like you to relocate to Topeka and the Shawnee County community.”
How To Apply
10. Tulsa, Oklahoma
Since its launch in 2018, the Tulsa Remote plan has been giving $10,000 grants to eligible remote workers or entrepreneurs who agree to live in the city for at least one year.
In addition to the $10,000, grant recipients also get a one-year membership at a local co-working space as well as help in identifying housing and community-building opportunities.
Image via Dreamstime
How To Apply
Ready for your new adventure? Apply to live in Tulsa.
11. Vermont
Image via Dreamstime
Vermont currently offers up to $7,500 in incentive pay for people who move there under the following programs:
- The New Relocating Worker Grant is open to new residents who fill a vacancy with a state employer in a qualified occupation.
- The New Remote Worker Grant program is for new residents that work remotely with companies located out of state.
How To Apply
Here’s how to apply for the New Relocating Worker and New Remote Worker Grant programs.
It is important to note that the website states that this program “has received applications for more funding than is currently available. While applications continue to be processed in the order they were received, and the program will remain open and continue to accept applications, applicants should understand that funding is not guaranteed.”
12. West Lafayette, Indiana
In West Lafayette, Indiana, home of Purdue University, the Work From Purdue program offers a $5,000 stipend for qualified candidates who relocate to live and work in the Greater Lafayette area for at least one year.
Image via Dreamstime
When it comes to benefits, The Work From Purdue program also offers:
- Free campus food and drink
- Free Purdue library membership
- $1,800 co-working discount
- Free city bus pass and more
How To Apply
Apply for the Work From Purdue program at MakeMyMove.com.
13. West Virginia
West Virginia has a free outdoor recreation program that will pay remote workers $12,000 to move there for one year. As a participant in the Ascend West Virginia program, you’ll get a free co-working space, be introduced at select social events and get access to exclusive adventures.
Image via Dreamstime
The Ascend West Virginia website says, “Over your first year with Ascend WV you will earn $10,000, paid in monthly installments. When you fall in love with your new home, we will add in $2,000 for completing your second consecutive year in West Virginia. On top of that, don’t forget you will also get a year of FREE outdoor recreation worth over $2,500.”
How To Apply
Fill out an application for the Ascend West Virginia program.
Final Thoughts
If you’re willing to relocate, you can get free money by leaving your comfort zone and starting anew in a different city.
Perhaps you’d like to retire to a state that has a lower cost of living or go where the jobs are. This could be your chance!
If you’re contemplating making a move and want to secure some employment first, there are plenty of remote jobs available across several disciplines.
Want to see who’s hiring remote workers? Read our Work From Home Guide.
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